Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

8 vacation packing hacks that make life easier

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We all love traveling and the fun and excitement it brings. However, before you can travel anywhere, you first need to tackle a big obstacle. And that is packing your bags. Nobody enjoys packing of any kind, whether it is for relocation or a relaxing trip. But, as stressful and time-consuming as it is, packing for a vacation is a necessity. Luckily, you’ll be happy to hear that getting ready for your trip doesn’t have to be a headache-inducing chore. We’ve put together a list of some very convenient vacation packing hacks which will make the process a breeze. Once you see just how simple packing can be, you’ll rush to get your suitcases out of short term storage Seattle. Proper packing will help you save precious time, avoid stress, and overweight baggage fees! So, let’s see what you can do to lighten your burden when it comes to luggage.

blue suitcase with travel documents
Packing for a vacation can be quite fast and simple!

#1: Start your vacation packing adventure with a detailed checklist

Before you start packing for your vacation, you first need to know what you’ll bring with you. This list will help you speed up the entire process since you’ll be constantly organized and focused. Of course, you can pack anything you like for your journey, but there are still some things you shouldn’t leave without. For best results, your list should include:

  • At least four tops that can be combined with the bottoms.
  • At least 3 bottoms that can be combined with the tops.
  • Two pairs of shoes of different styles. Depending on the situation, you’ll need a casual pair and a formal one.
  • Underwear and socks
  • Basic toiletries and prescription medications if you need them.
  • Phone, other electronics, chargers, and adaptor plugs if needed.
  • Wallet, with at least $100 in cash.
  • Personal ID documents, your passport, and travel insurance documents.
  • Small first aid kit

While you’re putting together your list, it’s wise noting down any specifics about your items. If you’re storing clothes, remind yourself that you should take them out of Woodinville self storage containers prior to packing. Lastly, keep in mind that your list can vary depending on your destination, but this elementary rundown is a good starting point.

#2: One of the best vacation packing hacks is rolling your clothes

When packing for a vacation, the goal is to fit as many items in as few bags as possible. And this is why rolling is the new folding. Rolling your clothes prior to packing them greatly reduces the space they take up in your suitcase. And if you want to take it a step further, you can use compressible plastic bags. This will compress your clothes by removing the extra air and thus cause them to take up even less space in your luggage. The good thing is, this technique can be used for many other things besides traveling. For example, if you want to rely on self storage Seattle solutions to put away your seasonal clothes, the roll and compress method will help save so much valuable space.

#3: Avoid overpacking your luggage

This is much easier said than done, but try your best not to overpack. The good thing is that there are ways to stop yourself from overfilling your bags. One of the better vacation packing hacks is to not bring items that you don’t usually use since it’s fairly guaranteed that you won’t use them now. Another trick is to utilize healthy self-organization and purposefully downsize. Lay out the clothes you want to bring with you, and then only take half of them. This will require a bit of thinking and hard decisions, but it is worth it in the long run. After all, the less you bring with you, the more room you’ll have for souvenirs!

#4: Mini containers are a perfect compact solution

clothes folded for vacation packing
Pack your clothes compactly to save valuable space

You’ll want to bring your favorite shampoo or body wash with you. But that doesn’t mean you should take the entire bottle for just a few days of vacation. This is where the mini containers come into play. With them, you can take only the amount you need without overfilling your bags. If you want to take lotions, gels, and other liquids with you, empty contact lens cases work great as makeshift containers. For medication, you can purchase small pill containers at your local pharmacy. With these compact containers, you can take small amounts of your necessities, while leaving the bulk at home.

#5: Take care when packing your vacation souvenirs

During your travels, your bags will endure a lot of tossing, turning, and tumbling. This isn’t something you can always control, and that’s why you need to properly protect the contents of your bags. If you’re bringing back souvenirs or bottles, you can get creative with your clothes and use them as protective materials for fragile items. Scarfs, sarongs, shirts, and socks can be great padding that helps against bumps, bounces, and vibrations. Wrap your fragile items in shorts, place them in the middle of your suitcase, and then isolate them with pants or sweatshirts for added padding.

#6: Once you bag it, don’t forget to tag it

medication and a thermometer on a table
A first aid kit is the most important component of every travel bag

When it comes to luggage, the sad truth is that there isn’t a lot of variety to it. A suitcase serves a single purpose, and its design is often minimal, if not almost identical. This can become an issue in a place like an airport, where a baggage collection system rotates a high number of bags, some of which may look the same. In this situation, it is very easy to grab somebody else’s bag and end up with a big problem. To prevent this, introduce a labeling system to your bags. If possible, buy luggage in bright colors, and add bag bands to it to make it easily recognizable. Furthermore, bag bands can serve as a security measure in case your bag breaks or pops open by accident.

#7: A first aid kit can be a true lifesaver

Even though it isn’t pleasant to think of illness and injury during a vacation, it is good to prepare for everything. One of the last vacation packing hacks we’ll share with you today is to always, no matter the circumstances, have a first aid kit packed with you. You never know what might happen while you’re in a foreign surrounding and this is one of the essential items to pack for a road trip.

Make sure to pack a few paracetamols, stomach meds, and some flu tables along with your toiletries. Band-aids and aloe vera creams are also a good addition to include. If you have any personal prescriptions, don’t forget to take them, or ask your doctor to refill them before the trip. If you fully prepare, you can take proper care of yourself until you reach a local clinic or return home.

#8: Don’t forget about the seasonal items you have stored away

If you are a summer or winter sports enthusiast, or someone that loves camping and hunting trips, you might have a hard time finding enough room for all your belongings inside your home. And since the logical choice is to put it all inside secure self storage facilities, it can often happen for people to forget what exactly they have stored away. So, make sure to remember the items that you have inside your self storage unit and take them out and pack them for the trip. 

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